Number Plate Spacing Laws: How to Stay Compliant

22.09.2023

Number plate spacing is an important part of displaying your registration. If the rules aren’t followed, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras can’t read your plate properly.

As a result, if you don’t comply, you may fail your MOT, receive a fine or have your plate confiscated by the police.

In this blog, you’ll learn all about number plate spacing laws, so you can ensure your vehicle is compliant. You’ll find answers to commonly asked questions, including information about motorcycles, and vehicles registered before 2001 and 1973.

What are the laws around number plate spacing in the UK?

According to DVLA INF104 document, vehicles with number plates fitted after September 2001 have to meet the following requirements:

Character height	79mm
Character width	50mm
Character stroke (thickness of black print)	14mm
Space between characters	11mm
Space between age identifier and random numbers	33mm
Side margins	11mm
Top and bottom margins	11mm
Vertical space between age identifier and random numbers	19mm

What are the rules for vehicles registered before 1st September 2001?

If your vehicle was registered before the 1st of September 2001, different rules and restrictions apply:

Character height	89mm
Character width	64mm
Character stroke (thickness of black print)	16mm
Space between characters	13mm
Space between age identifier and random numbers	38mm
Side margins	13mm
Top and bottom margins	13 mm
Vertical space between age identifier and random numbers	19mm

What are the rules for vehicles registered before 1st January 1973?

Likewise, there are different spacing laws for vehicles registered before the 1st of January 1973:

Character height	79mm
Character width	57mm
Character stroke (thickness of black print)	14mm
Space between characters	11mm
Space between age identifier and random numbers	33mm
Side margins	11mm
Top and bottom margins	11mm
Vertical space between age identifier and random numbers	19mm

What are the number plate spacing laws for motorcycle and tricycle number plates?

Motorcycle and tricycle number plate spacing laws work differently, because they have to be displayed across two lines. Here are the spacing requirements:

Character height	64mm
Character width	44mm (except number 1 or letter I)
Character stroke (thickness of black print)	10mm
Space between characters	10mm
Space between age identifier and random numbers	30mm
Side margins	11mm
Top and bottom margins	11mm
Vertical space between age identifier and random numbers	13mm

Is it illegal to change the spacing on my number plate?

Yes, it’s illegal to change the spacing on your number plate. This is because, if you alter the spacing, you could misrepresent the numbers and letters.

The plate must be displayed according to the rules of the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations. These regulations govern how number plates should be displayed, designed and manufactured.

Is number plate spacing an MOT failure?

Yes, you’ll fail your MOT test if you’re driving with number plates that aren’t spaced correctly. You’ll also fail the test if the plate doesn’t meet the following requirements:

Made of reflective material
Front plate has black characters on a white background
Rear plate has black characters on a yellow background
No background patterns

What is the penalty for illegal spacing on number plates?

If you break number plate spacing laws, you could be fined up to £1,000. You’ll also fail your MOT test, and your registration may be permanently withdrawn. If your plate is confiscated, you won’t get the money back that you paid for it, either, meaning you’ve lost your investment.

Support from Absolute Reg

If you’ve never bought a number plate before, navigating number plate laws can feel overwhelming. If you’re paying for a plate, you don’t want to lose your investment, get your registration confiscated or receive a fine.

With Absolute Reg, you have access to our customer service team before, during and after your purchase. We can help you stay compliant, so you can enjoy your private number plate without having to worry.

Start your number plate search today.

Number Plate Rules & Laws 2023

Number Plate Screws & Fixing Laws

Are 4D Number Plates Legal?

How ANPR Affects Number Plate Owners

Motorcycle Number Plate Laws

Sources

Find out about vehicle registration numbers and number plates (INF104), DVLA

Size and spacing of characters, The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001